\Lat"er*al\, a. [L. lateralis, fr. latus, lateris, side:
cf. F. lat['e]ral.]
1. Of or pertaining to the sides; as, the lateral walls of a
house; the lateral branches of a tree.
2. (Anat.) Lying at, or extending toward, the side; away from
the mesial plane; external; -- opposed to {mesial}.
3. Directed to the side; as, a lateral view of a thing.
{Lateral cleavage} (Crystallog.), cleavage parallel to the
lateral planes.
{Lateral equation} (Math.), an equation of the first degree.
[Obs.]
{Lateral line} (Anat.), in fishes, a line of sensory organs
along either side of the body, often marked by a distinct
line of color.
{Lateral pressure} or {stress} (Mech.), a pressure or stress
at right angles to the length, as of a beam or bridge; --
distinguished from longitudinal pressure or stress.
{Lateral strength} (Mech.), strength which resists a tendency
to fracture arising from lateral pressure.
{Lateral system} (Bridge Building), the system of horizontal
braces (as between two vertical trusses) by which lateral
stiffness is secured.

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Medical Dictionary

Definition:

The side of the body or body part that is farther from the middle or center (median) of the body.

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Biology Dictionary

Definition:

At the side of, or directed to the side

A man-made channel used to convey water from a canal to its delivery point.